Double dipping hits Zanu-PF as succession plot thickens

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Accusations of “double dipping” have been levelled against senior Zanu-PF officials involved in the increasingly precarious campaign to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond 2028.

These officials are alleged to be simultaneously working with a faction opposed to the controversial proposed term extension, highlighting the deep divisions and shifting allegiances within the ruling party.

President Mnangagwa (82), who is constitutionally mandated to serve his last five-year term, recently stated that he would retire when his time is up in a statement that appeared to deflate the “2030 agenda” campaign. Despite this, some factions within Zanu-PF, particularly in Masvingo and Midlands provinces, have been vocal in their support for him to remain in power.

Zanu-PF adopted a resolution at its annual conference in October last year to extend Mnangagwa’s term, despite his repeated assertions that he was not interested. This has created a complex and potentially volatile situation within the party.

Adding to the pressure, a faction of war veterans, led by Zanu-PF central committee member Blessing Geza, issued a strong statement calling on Mnangagwa to step down, further undermining the 2030 agenda.

Andrease Mathibela, chairperson of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, told journalists that ex-combatants were prepared to lead the opposition to the 2030 agenda. Zanu-PF insiders suggest that these statements have rattled those championing the term extension, leading some to reconsider their position.

It is alleged that some officials are now secretly opposing the 2030 agenda while publicly supporting it. This duplicity has sparked accusations of betrayal and opportunism within the party.

Person Mbalekwa, a senior Zanu-PF official in Midlands province, challenged the provincial leadership to be transparent about their stance on the 2030 agenda in an audio recording. Mbalekwa, who serves as the Midlands provincial secretary for security, accused some leaders of being “double-faced.”

“I am raising this issue because I feel that there are double standards that are being displayed here,” Mbalekwa stated in his address to the Midlands Zanu-PF management team.

“During the day, you are coercing people to go and campaign for the 2030 agenda, at night some of you in this group, you are busy liaising with those who don’t want 2030 saying you are not for 2030, but you are being coerced and being manipulated,” he continued. “You want to have your cake and eat it. Come out in the open, which side are you on.”

Mbalekwa, who has openly opposed the 2030 agenda, specifically named Midlands chairperson Edson Chiherenge and Lewis Matutu as alleged culprits.

“The two of you should come out in the open…who are you supporting…at night you are busy preaching the spirit of unity, togetherness and respect for the constitution and during the day you are there talking about 2030 and coming up with programs to perpetuate this issue of 2030 yet you are the two leaders of the province,” Mbalekwa said.

Matutu declined to comment on the matter, stating, “I don’t think I am the right person to comment on that since I am cited in the recording,” before referring The Standard to the secretary for information.

Efforts to reach Chirenge and Mbalekwa for comment were unsuccessful.

In Harare, sources suggest that Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Goodwills Masimiremba may be having second thoughts about the 2030 agenda and is taking a less prominent role in promoting it.

However, Masimirembwa denied these reports, stating, “For the record I am not backtracking on the resolution. I am a loyal Zanu-PF member who abides by its rules, regulations and policies.”

Masimirembwa affirmed his commitment to the party’s resolution to extend Mnangagwa’s term, stating, “The number one resolution that his Excellency… should remain president of Zimbabwe until 2030 is not a personal matter.”

Masimirembwa’s offices were bombed last year, a stark reminder of the political tensions surrounding the succession issue.

Zanu-PF Manicaland chairperson, Tawanda Mukodza, also maintained his support for the 2030 agenda, stating, “I am standing with what was agreed at the party people’s conference last year, why change now, I follow party’s rule and regulations that is what I am doing.”

Masimirembwa, ministers Owen Ncube (Midlands Provincial Affairs), Daniel Garwe (Local Government), and Tatenda Mavetera (ICT) have emerged as key figures advocating for the 2030 agenda.

The growing pressure within the party to abandon the 2030 agenda, particularly following the war veterans’ opposition, underscores the significant challenges facing those seeking to extend President Mnangagwa’s rule beyond the constitutional limit.